Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino, said the recent re-election of Rafael Correa as president of Ecuador can help solve the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, asylee since last June in the country’s embassy in London.

“The UK already knows that in four years, the government’s decision is unshakable and that already puts a clear part of the stage,” said Patino, who was optimistic that this year an agreement will be met with the UK so the Australian journalist may leave the embassy without the risk of being arrested by the British police.

“I think 2013 is going to untie this knot,” he added.

Christine Assange (Mother of Julian Assange) next to Ricardo Patiño.

The British government refuses to give Assange a free pass to leave the embassy and the UK, and insists that it he must be extradited to Sweden, where he is wanted over alleged sex crimes.